Igbos celebrate Ekwueme at 80 with demand for new state

The demand for a new state in the South East yesterday dominated the grand carnival to mark the 80th birthday of the Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, in Enugu.

Speaker after speaker at the event where Dr. Ekwueme was elevated from his traditional chieftaincy status of Ide Aguata to Ide Ndigbo by Igbo traditional rulers said the creation of an additional state for the zone was overdue and coming now would be a befitting birthday gift for him.

President Goodluck Jonathan in a goodwill message to the veteran politician called him a living symbol of the Igbo people.

Leading the agitation for a new state was Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State who insisted that other zones should wait until the South East’s demand is met.

He said “An additional state for Ndigbo should be created first to put us at par with other zones before talking of creating states in other zones.”

The governor told Ndigbo to stop complaining about marginalization in the polity because as he put it, talking about has become obsolete.

Describing Ekwueme as a rare gift to Nigeria and Ndigbo in particular, Okorocha said: “When I grow up, I will like to be like you (Ekwueme).”

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, took a cue from Okorocha and emphasized the need for unity in Igboland, saying: “God blessed us with Ekwueme. He is an all rounder who has excelled in his every endeavour.”

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State asked Ndigbo to use the occasion to unite and start speaking with one voice.

“Igbo have not taken their rightful position in Nigeria. When Igbo take their position in Nigeria, the country will find its direction. All it requires is for the Igbo to organize themselves and work together,” Obi said.

He described the Igbo as the pillars of Nigeria who spread out to other parts of the country to invest, build houses and live there with their families, while other Nigerians fail to come to Igboland to do likewise.

Also speaking, the President of Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, said of Ekwueme: “This man is a special gift to Igbo. His humility is exemplary. We want our youths to emulate him.”

President Jonathan, in his goodwill message, eulogized Dr. Ekwueme as a living personification of the highest ideals of patriotism and selfless service.

He lauded the celebrator’s contributions to national development over the years, saying that his “unassailable integrity and consummate diligence” have made him one of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen.

He said: “On the occasion of your landmark 80th birthday anniversary, I join your family, friends, and well-wishers in thanking Almighty God for the richly fulfilled life He has blessed you with.

“A thorough-bred professional, an accomplished administrator and leader of men, an epitome of the highest ideals of selfless service and unwavering patriotism, your unassailable integrity and consummate diligence have combined to make you one of our most respected national icons today.

“Over the years, you have consistently invested the benefit of your inspiring attributes in dedicated service to our dear country, while continuing to avail our generation of leaders of your enduring wise counsel. It is my prayer that Almighty God continues to keep and prosper you even as He blesses you with robust health and a life of perpetual fulfilment,” President Jonathan wrote.

He was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Former Senate president, Chief Ken Nnamani, former national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Senator Joy Emordi also spoke at the event.

The chairman South East Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya on behalf of other traditional rulers in the zone announced the elevation of Dr. Ekwueme to the status of Ide Ndigbo .The formal conferment of the title will take place at a later date.

In attendance were former Minister for Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; deputy governors of Enugu and Ebonyi states, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, former governor of Central Bank, Dr. Charles Soludo as well as members of the National Assembly.

Did you see how they phrased the head line? “Igbos Celeberate Ekwueme’s 80th Birthday”. This was a nigerian Vice President and we are supposed to be one nation.

N Stanley Ifeanyi

When a writer wrote his book which is not even free of charge against Awolowo for killing the hard working people who want to be alone the yorubas want to kill him did the British starve us to daeth befor giving us Independence. Now Ibos celebrate their leader your talking rubish

WHAT WE NDIGBO WANT NOW IS BIAFRA NOT EXTRA STATE IN NIGERIA OR NIGERIA PRESIDENCY. ANYTHING NIGERIA, COUNT ME OUT.

SAMPSON

THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACE TO OUR LEADER DR ALEX EKWUEME,MY PRAYER FOR HIM TO LIVE LONG,BUT THE GREATEST PROBLEM OF MY PEOPLE OUR IN ABILITY TO BRING OUR SMALL FAMILY UNITY TO IBO NATION,WE ARE VERY UNITED IN OUR FAMILY LINE BUT ANY TIME THERE IS A BIGGER THING LIKE NATIONAL MATTERS WE DIVIDE OUR SELF.

AS OF TODAY MY PEOPLE HAVE NO PLATFORM TO LEAD NIGERIA,EACH THEY ARE CLOSE TO IT THEY WILL BLOW IT,JUST LIKE LAST YEAR ELECTION THEIR SUPPORT FOR JONATHAN WAS OUR WORST MISTAKE,TODAY WHAT HAVE WE GAIN WITH THAT?LAST YEAR ELECTION PRESENTED TO US A CLOSER CHANCE OF LEADING NIGERIA HAD OUR PEOPLE LISTEN TO THE VOICE GOOD REASON THAT THE NORTHERN PRESIDENCY IS BATTER AND CLOSER TO US NOT JONATHAN PRESIDENCY.

NOW 2015 IS APPROACHING,WHAT ARE WE DOING TO TAKE POWER NOW OR IN FEATURE,TO ME NOTHING,THAT IS WHY WE ARE COMING OUT WITH,SOUTHEAST POLITICAL ACTION GROUP OF NIGERIA[SEPAGON] TO WORK AND LOBBY FOR AN IBO POSITION AND PLACE IN NIGERIA POLITIES COME 2015.

Anthony

Chris Oji how can you post this blunder for the world to read? I quote, “President Jonathan, in his goodwill
message, eulogized Dr. Ekwueme as a
living personification of the highest
ideals of patriotism and selfless service.” Don’t you have a dictionary? Even if you don’t, there are hundreds of online dictionaries. Eulogy means a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honor of a deceased person. It is not Alex Ekweume’s burial, it is his birthday for christ sake.

Akinwale

Gov Obi is saying no other tribe wants to come to live in the east while igbos are living all over Nigeria.
I believe the Gov knows the reasons. If he does not, i will ask him to look inward and ask himself these questions- ‘Are the igbos accomodating? Are they fair minded people? Do they have what it takes to host people who are not ndigbos? From my own interaction with them, the answer is ‘NO’ to all the three questions. I did serve in the east in 1990 and i know what i am writing about. Can the honourable Gov tell us what he has done for non-ndigbos in his state.
Also who wants to go to the east and risk being kidnapped. Just like going to the North and risk being bombed by Boko Haram. Present day Nigeria for you.
Dr. Alex Ekwueme is a national figure and a national leader because he is a former democratic vice president. Why make his birthday ceremony an ndigbo affair?

Sir, as you mark birthday, are working on your glorius eternity as well? Mrs Sholarin just left gloriously few hours ago.

AkibaEssien

HBDLLNGP 2 U Ekweme, thank God the event was successful.

Alic

I heard Achebe is having a colloquium in brown university. This is a warning to Yoruba sons and daughters, noo of you must attend and if any do. You know how we dealt wih these that supported Abacha. Abo oro la nso fun omoluwabi , ti o ba de inu re yio Di odindi.